2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Other / unspecified3037.5%
- Body & structure1518.8%
- Tires & wheels67.5%
- Electrical56.3%
- Fuel system45.0%
- Exterior lighting33.8%
- Transmission33.8%
- Brakes33.8%
- Visibility22.5%
- Engine22.5%
- Airbags22.5%
- Seat belts11.3%
- Suspension11.3%
- Interior & seats11.3%
- Driver assistance11.3%
- Powertrain (other)11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 ECLIPSE COUPE, OK THIS IS A MAJOR PROMBLEM, HOPE SOMEONE WILL LISTEN THE WHEELS (RIMS) CRACK ON THESE CARS "CHEAP" BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND DRIVERS SIDE BACK WHEEL. IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE YOUR GONNA PURCHASE NEW WHEELS. I AM A SINGLE MOM MY KIDS RIDE IN THIS CAR. MANY OTHERS HAVE "COMPLAINED" DO SOMETHING BEFORE YOU ARE SCRAPPING CHILDREN OFF THE EXPRESSWAY.....THESE WHEELS ON THE 2002 ECLIPSE ARE DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO KEEP REPLACING I CAN NOT AFFORD IT,, *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE BENDING ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FRACTURES ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CRACKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AS I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IT POSSIBLY GOT TOO HOT FROM THE SUN ONE DAY. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NOT BREAK IN TWO OR THREE PIECES. MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ISSUES. I HAVE TO TAKE A BITE IN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FUNDS SHOULD COME OUT OF MITSUBISHI'S POCKET, NOT MINE! I ALSO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON THE SPOILER. THE PAINT HAS STRANGELY DISAPPEARED AND THE PART HAS TURNED WHITE. IT'S WEIRD! AGAIN, I FEEL THAT IF MITSUBISHI HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PAINT JOBS, THEY SHOULD FIX THEM! *JS
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN HIT THE MEDIAN WALL BEFORE COMING TO A REST ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *KB EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE REVEALED TWO HOLES IN THE SIDEWALL WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWOUT. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A LACERATION TO HER KNEE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0220-91
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SHIMMY VIOLENTLY AND ALL FOUR TIRED WENT FLAT. ROAD SERVICE REINFLATED THE TIRES AND WHEN DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY A BLOWOUT OCCURRED. THE OTHER TIRES SHOWED LARGE BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALLS. THE TYPE WAS UNIROYAL TIGER PAW 215/R55 16. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAUGHT FIRE OVER NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO FIND THE DASH BOARD MELTED, WINDOWS SMOKED OUT, FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR BURNT. *TR
MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION AFTER TURNING AND THEN OUT OF THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM WOULD STAY ON PERMANENTLY, LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT START . MY TURNING SIGNAL STOP WORKING AND NOW MY CAR WONT START. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE FUEL NECK DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
WE WERE DRIVING AND CAR JUST DIED. BUT IT STILL WANTED TO START JUST ACTED LIKE DIDN'T HAVE GAS. TO BUT WE JUST FILLED UP. SO WE FIGURED FUEL PUMP. REPLACED IT AND NOTHING STILL SO THEN WE CALL A DEALER AND HE SAYS MOST COMMON THING THAT HAPPENS IN THESE CARS IS COMPUTER GETS FRIED. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION AFTER TURNING AND THEN OUT OF THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM WOULD STAY ON PERMANENTLY, LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT START . MY TURNING SIGNAL STOP WORKING AND NOW MY CAR WONT START. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVER BECAME DETACHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE LEVER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V305001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND STARTED HEARING A NOISE SOUNDING LIKE METAL SPINNING. WAS TOLD BY TWO DEALERS THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. HE HAS HAD THE REVERSE SYNCHROS, PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH REPLACED. WORK DONE AT DEALER WHERE HE BOUGHT IT. WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT THEY WILL RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. IN LATE FEBURARY CAME TO STOP WHEN HE WENT OT TAKE OFF HE HEARD LOUD METAL CLANKING NOISES AND SHEARING NOISES. PARKED IT THEN. HIS DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS THE INPUT SHAFT AND INPUT SHAFT SEAL. WAS TOLD ONRIGINALLY IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE DEFECTIVE INPUT SHAFT AND INPUT SHAFT SEAL HAS TOTALLY DISTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS SAYING IT IS OWNER FAULT AND ALL THEY WILL PAY FOR IS TH INPUT SHAFT AND INPUT SHAFT SEAL.
CLUTCH FEELS SLUGGISH IN 2ND- 5TH GEAR, LIKE ALMOST A SLIP. ONLY HAVE 27K MILES ON IT AND I DON'T ABUSE MY CAR IN ANYWAY. A FEW OTHER OF MY FRIENDS EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MITSUBISHI ECLIPSES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON 95 IN VIRGINIA (ABOUT 20 MINS OUTSIDE OF RICHMOND) MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE CAR ENDED UP OVERHEATING AND THE BRAKES FAILED (THE FRONT DRIVER ROTOR ACTUALLY RIPPED APART) BEFORE I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM BOTH FRONT BRAKES. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVER BECAME DETACHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE LEVER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V305001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
THE SUNROOF FAILED TO OPEN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY TWICE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2002 ECLIPSE STARTED TO SOUND VERY LOUD. ITOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER.THEY BLEW ME OFF . THEY NEVER CHECKED THE CAR IN THE SHOP BUT THEY SAID THE CAR WAS OK.ONE WEEK LATER THE ENGINE CEASED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR BECAUSE OF "CUSTOMER NEGLIGENCE".THEY STATE THAT AS A RESULT OF THIER INVESTIGATION THE DID NOT LEAK OR BURN THE 3 QUARTS OF "MISSING OIL". THREFORE WHERE COULD IT BE.THIS OBVIOSLY THE OIL WAS NEVER THERE .MITSUBISHI DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT THIS EVEN THOGH IT IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.PLEASE HELP . ISPENT 30000 DOLLARS ON THIS CAR AND CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT. NLM
A RANDOM CODE FAILURE IN THE COMPUTER LEAD TO REPEATED ENGINE STALLS AT STOP, AND LEAD TO OTHER SPARK PLUG FOULING AND EGR VALVE FAILURE. PROBLEM REPEATS AFTER CODE IS CLEARDED. BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES NOW, A 6TH ON THE WAY. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH HER FRONT END AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED, THE LOAN COMPANY TOLD HER TO CONTACT US AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL LOOK INTO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CASE NUMBER WITH MITSUBISHI IS 373237. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 5, 2005. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN INDEPENDENT POLICE DEPARTMENT #05-55284. THE CONSUMER HAS A BRUISE ACROSS HER CHEST, WRIST SPRAIN AND NECK INJURIES. THERE WERE TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE INJURED. *NM
WIHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH ON A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER WAS INJURED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BABY TREND CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: TJ94128 (NA), AND MANUFACTURED JULY 7, 2012. THE CHILD SEAT WAS BEING USED IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT LOWER LATCH CONNECTOR FAILED TO LOCK DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKED REAR END CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TRACT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER WAITING FOR THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON 95 IN VIRGINIA (ABOUT 20 MINS OUTSIDE OF RICHMOND) MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE CAR ENDED UP OVERHEATING AND THE BRAKES FAILED (THE FRONT DRIVER ROTOR ACTUALLY RIPPED APART) BEFORE I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION STOPS FUNCTIONING DUE TO WAVE/CUSHION SPRING FAILURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .